Internationally acclaimed Capital Suzuki Tour Group includes 21 young violinists

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (March 5, 2007) -- The Capital Suzuki Tour Group, an internationally renowned ensemble of talented 21 violinists between the ages of 10 and 18, will perform at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 11, in the Bennett Hall Auditorium at Ohio University Chillicothe. The event is free and open to the public.

In a campus-community partnership, the performance is sponsored by Southern Hills Academy and the Ohio University-Chillicothe Cultural Events Committee.

The Capital Suzuki Tour Group has toured extensively in the United States and internationally, most recently visiting Estonia and China. "Flourish," the group's 2007 tour, is named after a commissioned piece by Ching-Chu Hu and will take the young musicians to Italy to perform works by Hu, Vivaldi, Bach and Dvorak.

The Capital Suzuki Tour Group was established in 1995 by directors Douglas Locke and Susan Locke to provide a high-quality violin experience for the musicians and to instill a sense of pride and teamwork among their peers. The Lockes are both affiliated with Capital University in Columbus. The musicians are expert in the concepts of Shinichi Suzuki's Talent Education, which stresses not only music excellence but character development traits.

The OU-C Cultural Committee strives to provide campus and local community residents with cultural activities that go beyond the mainstream and add to the richness and vibrancy of the campus community.

Cultural committee members are focused on expanding individuals' creative, intellectual and artistic boundaries as part of the underlying goal of the campus to help people live fuller, richer lives by expanding their awareness of all facets of life, whether it is in the areas of knowledge, social or cultural enrichment.